also plans two linear targets along the rear
matching a blocking group to both protect the
trace of the obstacle group. Team A’s FIST is
obstacles and defeat the enemy.
responsible for executing all indirect targets.
Figure 3-5 illustrates some considerations to As the enemy vehicles enter EA Gold, they
integrate fires and the block effect. The TF are still in a march formation. As the lead commander has assigned Team A the mis-enemy units pass the line defined by TRPs
sion to defend BP 5 oriented into EA Gold to
01 and 04, and the line defined by TRPs
stop an enemy battalion from advancing
04 and 02, they hit the first obstacles in
along this AA. Team A is an armor company the block-obstacle group. The company team team with two armor platoons and an AT
commander initiates volley fires from all
Obstacle Integration Principles 3-9
FM 90-7
platoons. The tank platoons in BPs 15 and 25
DEEP OPERATIONS
orient between TRPs 04 and 02 and between
Normally, commanders use situational
TRPs 01 and 04, respectively. The AT pla-
obstacles to support deep operations. In the
toon orients between TRPs 01 and 02. The
offense, they use obstacles to help interdict
tank platoons concentrate on TRPs 01 and 02
enemy reinforcements or reserves. In the
to defeat any bypass attempts where the
defense and in the retrograde, they use
obstacles tie into the impassable terrain. All
obstacles to attack enemy follow-on forma-
forces concentrate on destroying any breach-
tions or subsequent echelons. Commanders
ing assets as they move forward.
use these obstacles to support counterfire
As the enemy continues to advance, some
activities against enemy indirect-fire units.
They also use obstacles to attack enemy
breaching attempts are successful through
assets at fixed airfields or logistics sites.
the initial obstacles. The company team com-
mander emplaced obstacles in depth and
shifts fires from BP 15 to between TRPs 01
CLOSE OPERATIONS
and 03 and from BP 25 to between TRPs 03
During close operations, commanders use
and 02. The company team FIST executes
the full range of tactical and protective
group AID to help in the destruction of
obstacles. Offensive, defensive, or retrograde
breaching assets. The company team com-
operations usually require different types of
mander shifts the fires from BP 35 to concen-
obstacles.
trate on breaching equipment.
In the offense, commanders use situational
Because of the depth and complexity of the
obstacles to support the defeat of defending
obstacles, the high volume of fires destroyed
enemy forces. They attack enemy reserves or
most of the enemy’s breaching assets. The
reinforcing units with these obstacles. Com-
company team continues a high volume of
manders use them to prevent forces from
fire to defeat further breaching attempts
repositioning or to fix part of a defending
and to discourage the enemy from commit-
enemy force while massing on the remainder
ting follow-on forces along this AA.
of the force. They also use obstacles to pro-
tect the flanks of friendly units, and they
plan obstacles on the objective to support
OBSTACLES AND OPERATIONS
their transition to the defense. Reconnais-
IN DEPTH
sance and security forces use situational
obstacles to help delay or defeat enemy
Commanders use obstacles to support opera-
CATKs. During movements to contact
tions in depth. Mission analysis drives the
(MTCs), security forces use situational
need for and the types of obstacles; however,
obstacles to help fix enemy forces while the
analyzing requirements throughout the
friendly main body maneuvers into a posi-
depth of the battlefield provides some idea
tion of advantage. Commanders ensure
of how to use obstacles. Commanders consi-
that obstacles do not interfere with the
der three complementary elements when
maneuver of the reserve.
planning obstacles to support operations.
In the defense, commanders integrate all
They are—
types of obstacles to slow, canalize, and
Deep operations.
defeat the enemy’s major units. In an area
Close operations.
defense, the commander uses protective
Rear operations.
obstacles to enhance survivability. He relies
3-10 Obstacle Integration Principles
FM 90-7
on directed and reserve obstacles focused on
operations. In the offense, most protective
retaining key and decisive terrain. He may
obstacles are hasty. In the defense, deliber-
use situational obstacles to deal with unex-
ate protective obstacles are common around
pected threats or to support economy-of-
strongpoints and fixed sites. Units in BPs
force efforts. For a mobile defense, the com-
normally use hasty protective obstacles. In
mander uses directed obstacles to create the
the retrograde, units use deliberate protec-
conditions for destroying the enemy. He uses
tive obstacles around fixed sites, but hasty
situational obstacles to support CATKs and
protective obstacles are most common. Units
reserve obstacles to maintain control over
design protective obstacles specifically for
MCs. The commander tailors obstacles to
the anticipated threat. Protective-obstacle
ensure the mobility of the force.
effort is proportionate to the threat level. As
the threat level increases, the protective-
Although obstacle use in the retrograde is
obstacle effort must increase. The force may
very similar to that in the defense, reserve
employ tactical obstacles to counter any
obstacles are extremely important in the ret-
major threat to the rear operations.
rograde. Commanders focus on critical
points along high-speed AAs. The enemy is
usually attempting to advance over the same
OBSTACLE CONTROL
routes that a unit is using for the retrograde.
Obstacle control varies with echelon and
Commanders retain positive control over
METT-T. The basic idea is to limit subordi-
these routes with reserve obstacles.
nates only as necessary to synchronize their
In the defense or retrograde, security forces
obstacle efforts with the commander’s intent
use different reinforcing obstacles depending
and scheme of maneuver. A lack of obstacle
on the security force mission. Requirements
control can cause obstacles to interfere with
for reinforcing obstacles increase from the
the higher commander’s scheme of maneu-
screen to guard and cover missions. A
ver. Too much obstacle control can cause a
lack of obstacles that support the refined
screening force uses directed and situational
fire plans of subordinate commanders.
obstacles to help harass and impede the
enemy or to assist in its displacement. A
To provide obstacle control, commanders
guard force uses all types of tactical obsta-
focus or withhold obstacle-emplacement
cles to assist in the delay. It may use hasty
authority or restrict obstacles. They use
protective obstacles for protection against
obstacle-control measures, orders, or other
the enemy’s assault. A covering force not
specific guidance. Commanders and staffs
only attacks, defends, and delays but also
consider width, depth, and time when they
deceives the enemy regarding the location,
conduct obstacle-control planning. The fol-
size, and strength of forces in the main bat-
lowing concepts guide this planning:
tle area (MBA). The covering force employs
Support current operations.
obstacles to a greater extent than the guard
Maximize subordinate flexibility.
force. The number of obstacles must resem-
Facilitate future operations.
ble the number in the MBA to support the
deception of the location of the MBA.
SUPPORT CURRENT OPERATIONS
Commanders and staffs use obstacle control
REAR OPERATIONS
to focus obstacle effort where it will clearly
Protective obstacles are the primary rein-
support the scheme of maneuver and com-
forcing obstacle employed in support of rear
mander’s intent. They also plan obstacle
Obstacle Integration Principles 3-11
FM 90-7
control to ensure that obstacles will not
wants a brigade to defend well forward. The
interfere with current operations.
commander gives the brigade an obstacle
zone that includes only the forward part of
its sector. The division commander thus
MAXIMIZE SUBORDINATE FLEXIBILITY
ensures that any obstacles the brigade
Commanders normally give subordinates
emplaces will support a defense forward in
flexibility to employ obstacles similar to the
the sector.
flexibility to conduct tactical missions. For
example, defending in sector requires flexi-
Other specific guidance or orders provide a
bility in obstacle employment. A com-
means to focus obstacle-emplacement
mander will give subordinates maximum
authority. For example, a corps commander
emplacement authority to support the
may include in his OPORD instructions for a
defender’s freedom to maneuver and decen-
division to concentrate obstacle effort along
tralized fire planning. A commander will
a specific enemy AA. A second example is a
probably focus obstacle-emplacement
brigade commander that wants a TF to force
the enemy into an adjacent TF sector. The
authority for a unit defending from a BP.
Defending from a BP requires more obstacle
brigade commander gives the TF an obstacle
control because the BP dictates the
belt that encompasses most of the TF sector,
defender’s position and orientation of fires.
but he assigns an intent (target, obstacle
In the offense, commanders normally retain
effect, and relative location) to the belt. The
a higher degree of control due to limited
target helps to focus the type of obstacles the
opportunities for obstacle emplacement and
subordinate will choose. The effect (here it is
more requirements for friendly mobility.
to turn the enemy into the adjacent TF sec-
Commanders frequently withhold emplace-
tor) helps focus the obstacle array. The rela-
ment authority or restrict the use of most
tive location, within the belt, still allows the
obstacles.
TF commander maximum flexibility to
develop his own scheme of maneuver and
obstacle plan.
FACILITATE FUTURE OPERATIONS
Commanders withhold obstacle-emplace-
The need for future mobility drives the need
ment authority using control measures,
for obstacle control to facilitate future opera-
orders, or other specific guidance. For exam-
tions. A CATK axis and objective are exam-
ple, a commander withholds authority by
ples of future mobility needs. Another
shaping obstacle-control measures so that
example is a route for units that need to
they do not overlap the CATK axis and
reposition forward as part of a higher com-
objective, ensuring the freedom of the CATK
mander’s plan. Commanders usually with-
force.
hold emplacement authority or use
Obstacle restrictions are an important tool
restrictions to ensure that obstacles do not
for providing obstacle control. For example,
interfere with future maneuver; however,
a corps commander may designate a CATK
they may focus obstacle efforts to develop a
axis, through a division AO, as an obstacle
situation that will support future opera-
restricted area. A division commander
tions.
may restrict obstacles in objectives and
Commanders can focus obstacle-emplace-
planned BPs within the division sector to
ment authority using obstacle-control mea-
SCATMINEs with a not later than (NLT)
sures. For example, a division commander
SD time.
3-12 Obstacle Integration Principles
FM 90-7
The commander considers the following
emplace and integrate the directed obstacles
dimensions when planning obstacle control:
in the TF obstacle groups.
Width.
The echelonment of obstacle planning
Depth.
requires that commanders at each level pro-
Time.
vide subordinates with the right combina-
Maneuver control measures can aid in
tion of positive control and flexibility. At
tailoring the width and depth of obstacle-
each level, obstacle planning builds on the
control measures. Typical graphics that aid
obstacle plan from higher echelons. Without
in focusing the width and depth of obstacle-
obstacle zones and belts, units must submit
control measures are—
a report of intention (see Appendix B) for every obstacle. The report doubles as a
Unit boundaries and phase lines (PLs).
request when units initiate it at levels below
Battle handover lines (BHLs) and for-
emplacement authority. Units do not submit
ward edges of the battle area (FEBAs).
the report if the higher HQ grants emplace-
Lines of departure (LDs) and lines of
ment authority. Commanders give the
contact (LCs).
authorization to install obstacles when they
Fire-support coordination lines
establish obstacle-control measures. As an
(FSCLs), no-fire areas (NFAs), and
exception, units do not submit reports of
coordinated fire lines (CFLS).
intention for conventional obstacles that are
Passage lanes and corridors.
part of an operation plan (OPLAN) or gen-
CATK axis and movement routes.
eral defense plan (GDP) if the authorizing
Objectives, future BPs, and AAs.
commander approves the plan.
Commanders also consider time when plan-
ning obstacle control. For example, the use
CORPS-LEVEL PLANNING
of an on-order obstacle zone gives the com-
Corps-level obstacle planning primarily
mander the ability to give a subordinate
centers on obstacle control. The corps devel-
obstacle-emplacement authority only after a
ops obstacle restrictions to ensure that divi-
certain time or event. Also, the use of mines
sion obstacles do not interfere with the
with a SD time within a control measure
corps’ scheme of maneuver and future oper-
allows a commander to limit the time that
ations. The corps also provides obstacle-
obstacles affect an area.
emplacement authority to ACRs and sepa-
rate brigades using obstacle zones; however,
they do not provide obstacle-emplacement
ECHELONS OF OBSTACLE
authority to divisions. Divisions already
PLANNING
have the authority to emplace conventional
The nature of obstacle integration from
obstacles within their AOs. The corps plans
corps to company team leads to an echelon-
reserve or situational obstacle groups only
ment of obstacle planning. At each lower
as they are necessary to support the corps’
level, commanders and staffs conduct more
scheme of maneuver. In very rare instances,
detailed planning. At corps level, planning
the corps may plan directed obstacle groups.
mainly consists of planning obstacle restric-
Figure 3-6, page 3-14, shows a corps defend-tions, although the corps may plan reserve,
ing with two divisions on line, an ACR as a
situational, or directed obstacle groups. At
covering force, and a separate brigade in
the company-team level, planning consists of
reserve. The corps plans a zone in the
the detailed design and siting plans to
ACR covering force area to provide the ACR
Obstacle Integration Principles 3-13
FM 90-7
commander with obstacle-emplacement
that brigade obstacles do not interfere with
authority and to focus the ACR obstacle
corps- or division-level operations. Divisions
effort close to the forward line of own troops
plan reserve and situational obstacle groups
(FLOT). Because the corps commander
to support the division’s and corps’ scheme of
wants to allow the ACR commander flexibil-
maneuver. Again, the planning of directed
ity, he does not assign a specific obstacle
obstacle groups is rare.
effect to the zone. To ensure that the corps
CATK is not hindered by obstacles, the com-
In Figure 3-7, the 52d Infantry Division (ID)
mander designates in the OPORD that the
(mechanized) of the defending corps con-
corps CATK axis is an obstacle restricted
ducts its defense with two brigades on
area, with no obstacles allowed.
line and a brigade in reserve. The division
plans a zone well forward in 3d Brigade’s
sector and targeted at an enemy division AA.
DIVISION-LEVEL PLANNING
This constrains the brigade’s obstacle-
At the division level, obstacle planning is
emplacement authority and ensures that its
more directive than at corps level. Divisions
obstacles do not interfere with the corps’ or
concentrate on planning obstacle zones to
division’s CATK routes. Note that the divi-
give brigades and other major subunits
sion does not need to designate either
(such as a cavalry squadron) obstacle-
CATK axis as an obstacle restricted area.
emplacement authority. Divisions also use
No one who is subordinate to the division
restrictions with the obstacle zones to ensure
has authority to emplace obstacles in these
3-14 Obstacle Integration Principles
FM 90-7
areas. In the north, the division designates
Based on his analysis of METT-T, the 1st
the entire 1st Brigade sector as a zone, tar-
Brigade commander of the 52d ID decides
geted at an enemy division; therefore, no
to defend as shown in Figure 3-8, page
additional graphic is required. However, the
3-16. He has positioned TF 4-27 in a BP and division has designated a contact point on
has assigned it responsibility for a block
the brigades’ boundaries and has directed
obstacle belt to defeat a second echelon
them to coordinate obstacles on the ground.
enemy regiment. TF 2-27 has responsibility
for a fix obstacle belt in the north to destroy
BRIGADE-LEVEL PLANNING
an enemy first echelon regiment. In the
Brigade-level units conduct more detailed
south, the commander assigns TF 1-93 a
obstacle planning. Brigades plan obstacle
turn obstacle belt, positioned well forward
belts that give obstacle-emplacement
in the sector to prevent an enemy regiment
authority to TFs. Brigades also use obstacle
from advancing along the boundary with
restrictions. Frequently, they plan situa-
the 3d Brigade. Note that the commander
tional obstacle groups and reserve obstacle
has specified an effect for each belt. Also,
groups. Directed obstacle group planning is
the commander has designated a contact
more common than at division level; how-
point between the two TFs to facilitate
ever, it is still rare.
obstacle coordination.
Obstacle Integration Principles 3-15
FM 90-7
TASK-FORCE-LEVEL PLANNING
COMPANY-TEAM-LEVEL PLANNING
TFs conduct the majority of detailed obstacle
At the company team level, obstacle plan-
planning. They plan most obstacle groups
ning focuses on the detailed design and sit-
that are executed at the company team level.
ing plans to execute the directed,
Most of these obstacle groups are directed
situational, and reserve obstacle groups
obstacles, but TFs can also plan reserve and
planned at higher levels.
situational obstacles. TFs may use restric-
Figure 3-10 shows the obstacles Team A
tions, but normally do not because of the level
designed and sited to support the obstacle
of detail of the TF obstacle plan.
group intent. Note that the obstacles are in
TF 1-93 plans to defend as shown in Fig-
depth and tied into terrain. The company
ure 3-9 and plans